Eagles fire defensive line coach Jim Washburn

Dec. 3, 2012
|

The Philadelphia Eagles fired defensive line coach Jim Washburn, who had been with the team since January 2011. / Michael Perez, AP

by Chris Strauss, USA TODAY Sports

by Chris Strauss, USA TODAY Sports

Filed Under

ADVERTISEMENT

The Philadelphia Eagles continue to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic, firing defensive line coach Jim Washburn following Sunday night's 38-33 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

"Jim is a fine football coach and we appreciate the efforts he gave to this team over the past two years," said head coach Andy Reid in a statement on the team's website. "However, I determined that it was in the team's best interest that we move in a different direction in terms of trying to maximize the production of that position group. We look forward to having Tommy Brasher back on board to work with the defensive line."

Brasher previously coached the Eagles' defensive line in 1985 and again from 1999-2005, when he retired from football. Washburn, who instituted the team's "Wide 9" defensive front, had remained on duty despite the team's firing of defensive coordinator Juan Castillo earlier this month. According to a Philly.com report last week, Washburn was displeased with the Eagles' release of former Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Babin.

Reid will apparently address the move at a Monday afternoon press conference, but at this point why even bother? Rather than let the purging of assistants and players continue, why doesn't owner Jeff Lurie just do what's almost certain to happen after the season and relieve Reid of his duties now? Why force everyone to go through the motions for another four weeks?